A man allegedly told officers he had coronavirus as he tried to spit at them while he was arrested following an assault on an elderly man in Stockport.
The victim, aged 69, was reportedly attacked on Stanhope Street, Reddish, while passing two people who were arguing.
Police were called at 7.10pm on on Saturday, August 1.
At first they struggled to find the victim but he was later taken to hospital with head and hand injuries.
A post on the GMP Heatons and Reddish Facebook page said: "A 37 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault.
"During his arrest the 37-year-old man told officers he had coronavirus and tried to spit at them, as well as making derogatory comments to officers.
"He was further arrested for two police assaults and racially aggravated public order.
"He was taken to police custody where he was processed and released under investigation."
Constable Jack Gregory, of GMP’s Stockport Division, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a 69 year-old man who sustained injuries to his head and hands and has had to receive hospital treatment for his injuries.
“Were you on or around Stanhope Street in Reddish, Stockport at the time of the incident. Did you witness an assault?
“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time or has any information or CCTV footage which may assist us to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 9829 quoting incident number 3085 of 01/08/20 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
